Resources
Below, a list of several types of resources are provided to help with many aspects of career exploration and development.
Career Clusters or Industries
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/career-clusters.htm
This resource covers the Bureau of Labor Statistics and their information regarding career pathways and clusters. The 16 clusters are defined and listed, along with workforce statistics, skills, and more.
This resource is open and accessible for technology accessibility features, as well as free to access.
This source leads to the website for the National Industries for the Blind. This site provides many resources regarding available job opportunities, skills, and training for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Due to this organization being made for the blind, the website is fully accessible and free to utilize.
Higher Education Resources
https://collegepossible.org/?nab=1
College Possible is an organization that provides useful college readiness resources, especially for first-generation students. This site provides college pathways, admissions information, necessary materials, and more to help guide first-generation college students through the process of preparing for and attending college.
Although this site aims to aid first-generation college students, the provided information is useful for anyone looking to attend college. The website is also fully accessible with technological accessibility features.
https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/find-college-or-educational-program
The Department of Education provides resources to help individuals choose the right university, community college, graduate school, or other pathway. This site provides access to comparison resources, college information and more. This site also covers paying for college and financial resources.
This source is fully accessible for blind and visually impaired individuals, and also covers information regarding financial limitations. This source is free to use.
https://www.perkins.org/resources-stories/college-prep/
This resource is provided by Perkins School for the Blind. It covers college readiness, specifically for blind and visually impaired individuals. It covers applying, accommodations, useful skills and technology, and more.
This site is fully accessible and free to use.
Workforce Entry Options
Coursera is a way for individuals to take courses to develop skills, earn certificates, and further their career development. Some colleges may have Coursera courses that are free for students, but often Coursera courses have an attached fee. There are many course options that cover a variety of skills, industries, and interests.
Coursera is an accessible platform for technological accessibility features, although courses may differ in accessibility. This source is good for other education options or pathways.
https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-job-finder
This source is an apprenticeship finder. Individuals are able to search by job type and by location to find available apprenticeships near them. Apprenticeships are good for gaining experience and skills when entering the workforce.
This site is fully accessible and free to use.
https://ablr360.com/trainingfortheblindvisuallyimpaired/
This source provides available training programs for blind and visually impaired individuals. Trainings cover assistive technology, adaptive software, and digital accessibility instructions. This source is especially helpful due to most information now being made digital, so it’s important for blind and visually impaired individuals to have technological education.
These trainings are made to be accessible, and to teach about accessibility.
Career/professional readiness tools
https://www.perkins.org/resources-stories/career-readiness/
This resource is provided by the Perkins School for the Blind. This site provides career readiness tools specifically geared towards individuals who are blind and visually impaired. These resources cover transitions, accommodations, skills building, and more.
This website is fully accessible and free to use.
https://www.perkins.org/resource/developing-a-resume/
This resource, also provided by the Perkins School for the Blind, provides guidance on building a resume. This source is geared towards blind and visually impaired individuals, providing specific instructions on how to set up the resume, how formatting should look, and so on.
This website is fully accessible and free to use.
Other Resources
Although this resource isn’t specifically about career development, 211 has been included as a resource since it covers many potential barriers that could impact career development. 211 provides resources for financial aid, housing, food, child care, and many other barriers that may hinder or slow career development. This source is especially helpful for individuals who may be worrying about potential struggles that need to be handled before starting career exploration.
This source is fully accessible, with calling, texting, and in person local options. This source is also open and free for anyone to use.
VI Career Development 